Water turbine with water circulation

ABSTRACT

A water turbine with water circulation has a water circulation channel full of water, a water wheel having a plurality of paddles radially disposed on a rotatable shaft and sequentially dipped into the water circulation channel for generating mechanical energy when it is rotated by the water of the water channel, and a pressurizing pump having a water intake disposed within the water circulation channel on an portion opposite to the paddles and a nozzle arranged immediate ahead of the paddles within the water channel for expelling a high-pressure water jet tangentially of the water wheel onto the paddles for rotating the water wheel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a water turbine. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a water turbine withwater circulation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nowadays, the costs of petroleum oil have become higher than ever. Inlight of this high cost energy problem, thorough research intoreplacement energy sources for use instead of conventional fossil fuelhas been conducted. In particular, in order to replace petroleumresources as an energy source, the inventor of this invention haveissued a Taiwan Patent No. 395080 on Jun. 21, 2000.

This patent utilizes a number of small water wheels each coupled tocorresponding generator. The unit's actual generation and the efficiencythereof require a further improvement for meeting commercial operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a simpleconfiguration of generating power through the utilization of large waterwheel thereby improving the efficiency of power generation underprinciple of lever.

The present invention provides a water turbine with water circulation,comprising: a water circulation channel full of water; a water wheelhaving a plurality of paddles radially disposed on a rotatble shaft andsequentially dipped into the water circulation channel for generatingmechanical energy when it is rotated by the water of the water channel;and a pressurizing pump having a water intake arranged within the watercirculation channel on a portion opposite to the paddles and a nozzlearranged downstream within the water circulation channel for expelling ahigh-pressure water jet tangentially of the water wheel and sequentiallyonto the paddles for rotating the water wheel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an illustrative view of the water turbine with watercirculation according to a first embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a power generator apparatuswith two parallel water turbines according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a water turbine 100 with water circulation accordingto this invention. The water turbine 100 comprises a water circulationchannel 10 full of water, a water wheel 20 having a plurality of paddles22 radially disposed on a rotatable shaft, and a pressurizing pump 40.

Referring to FIG. 1, the water circulation channel 10 is substantiallyoval and has an upper elongated portion and a lower elongated portion inwater communication with two curved portions as to form a circulationloop so that water can flow in a smooth flow within circulation channel10. On the upper elongated portion, an elongated opening 14 is definedby a slant wall 12 which is shaped to ensure the water channel 10 isfull of water and allow paddles 22 of the water wheel 20 to pass throughthe upper elongated portion of the water channel 10. As shown, whenwater flows from the left to the right as indicated by arrows, thepaddles 22 are sequentially driven and dipped into the water such thatthe water wheel 20 rotates in counterclockwise and generates mechanicalenergy. It is to be understood that the oval configuration of the watercirculation channel 10 can be changed from that shown, such as circular,if such is the desire of the user. In any circumstance the configurationof the water channel should be smoothly contoured in a uniform andevenly changing curvilinear shape in order to provide smooth water flowwithin the channel for the purpose of minimizing turbulence.Alternatively, the slant wall 12 may form as a housing as tohermetically seal the water wheel 20 for preventing water from leakingout.

While there are 12 paddles 22 on the water wheel 20, the number ofpaddles may be suitably adjusted depending upon the actual requirement.Further, it is to be noted that the illustrative flat paddles 22 can bereplaced with curved buckets for increasing the effective area thereof.

The pressurizing pump 40 has a water intake 42 disposed within the lowerelongated portion of the water circulation channel 10 and a nozzle 44arranged immediate ahead of the paddles 22 within the water channel 10for expelling a high-pressure water jet tangentially of the water wheel20 onto the paddles 22. The water jet draws the water within the watercirculation channel 10 thereby completing the driving of the paddles 22and water circulation within the water channel 10. As the rotation ofthe water wheel has provided a downward force from a paddle 22 as alever arm, an energy transformation is thus completed. The energy of thewater flow passed through paddles 22 has been decreased then the waterflow sequentially flowing through the lower elongated portion is drawnand pressurized by pressurizing pump 40 for providing said high-pressurewater jet. The operation of the water circulation within the waterchannel 10 is thus completed.

With the combination of pressurizing pump 40 and water circulationchannel 10, the water within the channel 10 continuously flows withinthe circulation channel 10 as indicated by arrows in FIG. 1 for powergeneration.

FIG. 2 illustrates a power generating apparatus 200 with two turbines100′, 100″ coupled in a parallel configuration. In addition to these twoturbines, the power generating apparatus 200 further includes agenerator 120 coupled with the turbines 100′, 100″ through a shaft 60such that the rotary power developed by the waterwheels can be utilizedfor generating electric power. The generator 120 is rotated by theturbines 100′, 100″ through a belt 65. It is to be noted that the belt65 can be neglected, i.e., the generator 200 is coupled with theturbines 100′, 100″ directly for reducing energy loss due to belttransmission. Additionally, a ballast weight (not shown) may be arrangedon the shaft 60 in parallel with the turbine as to stabilize therotation of the turbine.

As shown in FIG. 2, it is shown that the paddles 22 are dipped withinthe water of the water circulation channel 10 and the opening 14 allowsthe paddles 22 to leave the circulation channel 10.

As will become apparent from the foregoing description of theapplicant's turbines, as only part of the paddles 22 is dipped withinthe circulation channel 10 and a paddle 22 of lever arm in combinationof pressurizing pump 40, the water flow within the circulation channel10 can continuously flows for power generation.

Though the illustrative embodiment is described with two turbines, it isapparent that the power generating apparatus may be operated with morethan two turbines. For example, when three turbines are used for powergeneration, the blades of the second turbine may be heavier than that ofthe other turbines and the diameter of the second turbine may be longerthan that of the other turbines for providing higher torque.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown anddescribed, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devisevarious modifications of the present invention without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. A water turbine with water circulation, comprising: a watercirculation channel full of water; a water wheel having a plurality ofpaddles radially disposed on a rotatable shaft and sequentially dippedinto the water circulation channel for generating mechanical energy whenit is rotated by the water of the water channel; and a pressurizing pumphaving a water intake disposed within the water circulation channel onan portion opposite to the paddles and a nozzle arranged immediate aheadof the paddles within the water channel for expelling a high-pressurewater jet tangentially of the water wheel onto the paddles for rotatingthe water wheel.
 2. The water turbine with water circulation as setforth in claim 1, wherein said water circulation channel is of oval. 3.The water turbine with water circulation as set forth in claim 2,wherein said oval water circulation channel defines an elongated openingby a slant wall for the paddles of the water wheel to pass therethrough.4. The water turbine with water circulation as set forth in claim 1,wherein said paddles are flat in cross section.
 5. The water turbinewith water circulation as set forth in claim 1, wherein said paddle arecurved in cross section.
 6. The water turbine with water circulation asset forth in claim 3, wherein the slant wall form a housing forhermetically sealing the water wheel.
 7. The water turbine with watercirculation as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a ballast weightarranged on the shaft in parallel with the turbine.
 8. A powergeneration apparatus, comprising: at least one of the water turbineswith water circulation as set forth in claim 1; and a generator having ashaft coupled with the shaft of the water turbines.